Aldomet vs. Catapres, Kapvay

• Are Catapres, Kapvay and Aldomet the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Aldomet?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Catapres, Kapvay?
• What Is Aldomet?
• What Is Catapres, Kapvay?
• What Drugs Interact with Aldomet?
• What Drugs Interact with Catapres, Kapvay?
• How Should Aldomet Be Taken?
• How Should Catapres, Kapvay Be Taken?

Aldomet (methyldopa) and Catapres, Kapvay (clonidine) are antihypertensive drugs used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

The brand name Aldomet is discontinued in the U.S. Generic versions may be available.

Brand names for clonidine include Catapres, Jenloga, and Kapvay.

Side effects of Aldomet and clonidine that are similar include dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, headache, runny or stuffy nose, dry mouth, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, or sleep problems (insomnia or nightmares).

Side effects of Aldomet that are different from clonidine include weakness (especially when starting this medication and when dosage is increased), weight gain, joint pain or swelling, muscle pain, vomiting, swollen or "black" tongue, bloating, gas, depressed mood, unusual thoughts, numbness or tingly feeling, missed menstrual periods, or breast swelling or discharge.

Side effects of clonidine that are different from Aldomet include irritability, tiredness, mood changes, ear pain, fever, feeling hot, increased thirst, loss of interest in sex, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm, or cold symptoms such as sneezing, cough, or sore throat.

Aldomet may cause serious side effects, including:

• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• drowsiness,
• headache,
• stuffy nose, and weakness, especially when starting this medication and when dosage is increased.

Other side effects of Aldomet include:

• weight gain,
• joint pain or swelling,
• muscle pain,
• dry mouth,
• vomiting,
• stomach pain,
• swollen or "black" tongue,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• bloating,
• gas,
• depressed mood,
• unusual thoughts,
• nightmares,
• numbness or tingly feeling,
• missed menstrual periods, or
• breast swelling or discharge.

Common side effects of Catapres, Kapvay include:

• dry mouth,
• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• irritability,
• tiredness,
• mood changes,
• sleep problems (insomnia or nightmares),
• headache,
• ear pain,
• fever,
• feeling hot,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• stomach pain,
• increased thirst,
• loss of interest in sex,
• impotence,
• difficulty having an orgasm, or
• cold symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose,
• sneezing,
• cough, or
• sore throat.

Many side effects of Catapres, Kapvay may go away after several doses. Serious side effects of Catapres, Kapvay include hypotension, bradycardia, congestive heart failure, weakness, and edema.

Aldomet (methyldopa) is an antihypertensive drug used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). The brand name Aldomet is discontinued in the U.S. Generic forms may be available.

Catapres, Kapvay (clonidine hydrochloride) is a centrally acting alpha-agonist hypotensive agent used to treat hypertension. Catapres, Kapvayis available as a generic named clonidine (tablets and patches).

Methyldopa may interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), lithium, haloperidol, levodopa, tolbutamide, respiratory medicines, beta-blockers, phenothiazines, barbiturates, or tricyclic antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using methyldopa. This medication passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Catapres, Kapvay may interact with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (sleeping pills, narcotics, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety, depression, or seizures), antidepressants, beta-blockers, digitalis, other products containing clonidine, or other drugs to treat high blood pressure or heart problems.

Catapres, Kapvay may also interact with digoxin or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

Catapres, Kapvay (clonidine hydrochloride) is available in strengths of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg tablets and patches for transdermal administration (TTS form). No adequate, well-controlled studies have been conducted in pregnant or breastfeeding women; this drug may be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients has not been established although some pediatric physicians have used the drug to treat hypertensive children.

The usual adult dosage of doxycycline hyclate is 200 mg on the first day of treatment (administered 100 mg every 12 hours) followed by a maintenance dose of 100 mg daily. The pediatric dosage of doxycycline hyclate is based on the child's body weight.